Apparatus an system to prevent a canine from reaching the top of a barrier enclosing a space

ABSTRACT

An apparatus to prevent a canine from reaching a top of a fence, may comprise first and second members secured to first and second points on or adjacent to the fence, the first and second members comprising cable couplings spaced apart from the points on the fence by predetermined distances. A longitudinally flexible sheathing member may surround a flexible cable. The flexible cable may have a first end engaging the cable coupling of the first member and a second end engaging the cable coupling of the second member, wherein the sheathing member and the flexible cable hang between the first and second member cabling couplings. A system and kit including the apparatus are also described.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus that are useful in preventing a canine from reaching the top of a barrier enclosing a space. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus that prevent a canine from reaching the top of a barrier and which neither injure nor cause pain to the animal.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Certain four legged animals, which normally live on the ground, have an ability to climb vertical barriers. The claws or paw pads can enter, or otherwise gain a grasp on, a surface of a material used to construct the vertical barrier. Four legged animals may also have an ability to jump to heights that are relatively high in comparison to a height a human being may jump. Many breeds of dogs instinctively understand and use their abilities, or can be trained to use their abilities, to jump onto and scramble over, an obstacle. Breeds of this type include dogs such as the German Shepherd, Siberian Husky, and the Pit Bull Terrier. Obstacles that might typically be traversed by these types of animals include fences made of, for example, wire mesh, wood, or chain link. These types of fences or other obstacles may be used as a boundary to enclose an area and to prevent animals, such as dogs or other canines, from escaping from the area. For brevity, each of these types of fences or other obstacles will be referred to herein as a “fence.”

In comparison to dogs, felines, such as house cats, are particularly suited to overcoming fences using a combination of claws for penetrating and gripping materials and a good sense of balance. Dogs, on the other hand, while able to jump to great heights, do not have the type of sharp claws possessed by cats. Certain dogs, however, can use their jumping ability to jump to a height sufficient to allow their front paws and/or portions of their forelegs to land on top of or bridge over the top of a fence. These dogs can then position their heads in front of their shoulders and use the strength of their forelegs to lift their bodies to a height where their rear legs can make contact with the top of the obstacle. Once contact is made to a degree where the dog can use its rear legs to exert a vertical force in relation to the fence, the dog can dynamically position its body so as to push its rear-end up, tip its head and shoulders down, and effectively begin a rotation around the contact area. At a certain point the dog can then use its legs to leap off the fence, thus completing its traversal from one side, over, and to the other side of the fence.

Many dogs, to the consternation of their owners, are able to use this methodology to escape from fenced-in enclosures. Standard height fences are fairly easily overcome by many animals including large dogs. One solution may be to raise the height of the fence to a point where the height of the animal's jump is not sufficient to allow its front paws and/or portions of its front legs to land on top of or bridge over the top of the fence. Increasing the height of a fence, however, may be prohibited by zoning, covenant, homeowners association rules, or the like. Even if not prohibited, persons may find a tall fence surrounding a piece of property to be unsightly. Moreover, increasing the height of a fence may be cost prohibitive.

Another solution might be to discourage an animal from traversing over the fence by placing deterrent objects, for example spikes, barbed wire, or electrified wire, on top of the fence. An animal, however, may not recognize the danger of such deterrents until it attempts to exit its enclosure by traversing over the top of the fence. Such an attempt may injure the animal or in any event will cause the animal to suffer pain.

Rigid roller type devices, which sit above or parallel to a fence, have been proposed. However, these devices suffer at least from a disadvantage of being required to maintain a straight central axle along the length of the device. The straight central axle permits the length of roller to rotate without binding. A curvature of the axle could internally bind the roller, between an outer surface of the axle and an inner surface of the roller, thus preventing the roller from performing its intended function of rolling about the axle. A curvature of the axle could also externally bind the roller, between the outer surface of the roller and a surface of the fence. Furthermore, even if the axle were straight when no load was applied to the device, the load of an animal's body upon the device could likewise result in a curvature of the axle and provoke one or the other of the binding events described above. It may be possible for the device to be bound for an amount of time long enough for the animal to mount the bound and non-rotating roller and cross over the barrier.

To maintain smooth rolling function, bearings, such as ball or needle bearings, could be used between the external surface of the axle and the internal surface of the roller. Such use, however, has at least the distinct disadvantages of maintenance of sufficient lubrication for the bearings, requirements for smooth surfaces upon which the bearings must roll, and cost of the bearings.

Dividing a single length of rigid roller into a plurality of sub-lengths, perhaps as a way to overcome binding, is disadvantageous at least in the fact that such division exposes a greater surface area of the axle to the effects of weather, allows entry of water into the space between the axle and roller in multiples of places (i.e., at the ends of each multiple sub-length) in contrast to only two places (i.e., at opposing ends of the single roller device). This practice, consequently, hastens the disadvantageous effects of weather on the assembly as a whole.

Rigid rollers, regardless of their length, also provide covered horizontal surfaces and semi-enclosed areas within which water can pool (e.g., within the central through-shaft of the roller or in bearing channels). Such places, which are without drainage, can become a breeding ground for disease carrying insects, such as mosquitoes.

Limited length of roller type devices presents another disadvantage. In order to maintain a straight central axle, in both unloaded and loaded conditions, one would generally be required to increase the diameter of the axle as the length of the device is increased. This results in at least the disadvantages of added weight, cost, and size in a radial direction. Because practical length of a rigid roller type device is limited due at least to a requirement for maintenance of a straight central axle, individual ones of these types of devices cannot be affordably or practically manufactured in long lengths. As a consequence, even if a user were to select such a device, the user would be disadvantaged by being forced to purchase multiples of the device to span the length of the user's fence. Moreover, rigid type roller assemblies would typically be made in standard lengths. A user with a length of fence that did not match an integer multiple of the standard length, or even integer multiples of the sum of various different standard lengths, would be required to obtain a device made to a custom length. Customization would permit the total length of rigid roller assemblies to match the total length of the user's fence, but would result in a disadvantage of at least added cost.

Replacing the rigid central axle of the roller device with a tensioned length of cable is disadvantageous. The amount of tensioning required to maintain the cable in an effectively rigid straight line (around which the roller might roll) would be so great as to require expensive and sturdy stanchions that could resist the lateral bending force of the highly tensioned cable. Typical fence posts, for example of the kind used in homes or kennels, are not designed to maintain a cable in high tension between a pair of posts. Consequently, the replacement of a straight axle of a roller assembly with a cable maintained in a straight alignment by application of tension on the cable is not practical from at least the standpoints of requiring very heavy duty non bending stanchions, high cost, an specialized equipment needed to set and monitor the tension on the cable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus to prevent traversal over a barrier enclosing a space that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

Features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, an apparatus to prevent a canine from reaching a top of a fence, may comprise first and second members secured to first and second points on or adjacent to the fence, the first and second members comprising cable couplings spaced apart from the points on the fence by predetermined distances. A longitudinally flexible sheathing member may surround a flexible cable. The flexible cable may have a first end engaging the cable coupling of the first member and a second end engaging the cable coupling of the second member, wherein the sheathing member and the flexible cable hang between the first and second member cabling couplings.

In another aspect of the present invention, a system to prevent an animal from reaching a top of a fence may comprise first and second fence posts having fencing coupled therebetween and an apparatus as described above secured thereto.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a kit for a system to prevent an animal from reaching a top of a fence may comprise the first and second members as described above, a length of flexible cable, a cable cutting tool to cut the flexible cable to a predetermined length; and two cable clamps to fix to the ends of the flexible cable to prevent the flexible cable from being pulled out of the cable couplings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus 10 to prevent a canine from reaching a top of a fence 12, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1A illustrates a magnified view of the area within the dashed circle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1B, is a front view of the second member as secured to the fence post using adjustable clamps, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an frontal view of the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A is an illustration of the flexible cable within a longitudinally flexible sheathing, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a kit of a system to prevent a canine from reaching a top of a fence, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic block diagrams illustrating a canine 58 in relation to the apparatus 10 as it is secured to a fence 12, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to an embodiment of the present invention, example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus 10 to prevent a canine from reaching a top of a fence 12, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In the illustration of FIG. 1, the fence 12 is illustrated as only a partial portion of a fence to enhance the clarity of the drawing. In practice, the fence 12 would enclose an area occupied by the canine. The apparatus 10 may be comprised of a first member 14 adapted to be secured to a first point on or adjacent to the fence 12. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, first member 14 is illustrated as being secured to a fence post 16 of a fence. The first member 14 may be secured to the first point using any method known to those of skill in the art. The apparatus 10 may further comprise longitudinally flexible sheathing 36, which is illustrated in dashed line in FIG. 1, and more fully described in relation to FIGS. 2 and 2A. FIG. 1A illustrates a magnified view of the area within the dashed circle of FIG. 1. For clarity of illustration, the flexible cable 26 is not illustrated in FIG. 1A.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, first member 14 is represented as a right angle bracket that is secured to the fence post 16 by one or more adjustable bands 18. While the fence is illustrated as being made of chain link, the apparatus described herein may be advantageously used with any type of vertical obstacle that is typically used to maintain canines in a bounded area. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the first member 14 comprises a cable coupling 20, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a through-hole in the end of the first member 14. The cable coupling 20, may be spaced apart from the end of the first member that is secured to the fence post. In one embodiment the cable coupling may be spaced apart from the fence post by 8 inches. Greater or lesser spacing are within the scope of the invention.

Returning to FIG. 1, a second member 22 is illustrated as being secured to a second fence post 24. The first and second fence posts 16, 24 separated by a fixed distance and are adjacent to the fence 12. The first and second members 14, 22 may be secured on or adjacent to the fence. FIG. 1B, is a front view of the second member 22 as secured to the fence post 24 using adjustable clamps 18, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1B also illustrates the flexible cable 26 engaged within the cable coupling 30 of the second member 22. Nothing herein is meant to limit the orientation of cable coupling 30 to being horizontal to the ground. For example, the end or any member, such as first or second member 14, 22 could be twisted by 90 degrees, which would orient cable coupling 30 in a perpendicular position with respect to the ground. The cable coupling 30 of second member 22 may be spaced apart from the fence 12 by a second distance, which may be the same distance separating cable coupling 20 from fence post 16. FIG. 1B also illustrates cable clamp 28, which may be any cable clamp known to those of skill in the art that can be securely fastened to the cable 26. In the embodiment of FIG. 1B, the cable clamp 28 is illustrated as being near the end of cable 26, however, nothing herein is intended to limit the location of cable clamp 28 to that illustrated in this exemplary embodiment. As demonstrated in FIG. 1, a second cable clamp 32 may be used at the opposite end of cable 26 to prevent cable 26 from passing out of the cable coupling of the member 34. Members 14, 22, 34, and 36 may all be secured to their respective points adjacent or on fence 12 in the same or different ways. Members 14, 22, 34, and 36 may all be brackets, such as L-shaped brackets. For ease of illustration, only member 14 is illustrated as being a bracket.

The apparatus 10 may be secured to points on or adjacent to a fence such that the flexible cable 26 is at a predetermined lateral spacing with reference to the fence and of sufficient height to prevent the canine from leaping on and grasping the fence near its top. In one embodiment, the predetermined lateral spacing is about 8 inches and the height above the ground is about 70 inches. This configuration successfully prevented a Pit Bull Terrier from reaching the top of a fence enclosing a yard where the canine resides.

The apparatus 10 may create a visible and physical barrier that prevents the canine from scaling the upper part of the fence by making it impossible for the canine to place its forepaws on the top of the fence.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic block diagrams illustrating a canine 58 in relation to the apparatus 10 as it is secured to a fence 12, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The schematic block diagrams are not drawn to scale and are for illustrative purposes only. In FIG. 4A, the apparatus 10 may be interposed between the canine's body 58 and the top of the fence 12, forming a physical barrier to climbing higher. In FIG. 4B, the canine 58 has succeeded in grasping the apparatus 10, however, when grasped by the forepaws, the canine 58 is unable to continue climbing as its hind paws will of necessity either hang in the air or contact the fence 12 on a plane that is not parallel with the vertical plane bisecting the flexible cable of the apparatus 10 and parallel to the vertical plane of the fence.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates fence posts 16, 24, and 34 and first and second members 14, 22 all as described in connection with FIG. 1. Other elements, for example, the right angle portions of first and second members 14, 22 which rest on the fence posts 16, 24, as well as the clamps 18 that secure the members 14, 22 to the fence posts are omitted for clarity of illustration.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the apparatus further comprises a longitudinally flexible sheathing 36, which surrounds flexible cable 26. In one embodiment of the invention, the lengths of longitudinally flexible sheathing 36 were selected from commercially available stocks of PVC pipe. The sheathing was selected to span the longest possible lengths between members. Flexible cable 26 comprises a first end 38 (which, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 is actually approximately in the middle of the cable 26). The first end 38 engages the cable coupling 20 of the first member 14 by passing through cable coupling 20. The flexible cable 26 further includes a second end 40 that engages the cable coupling 30 of the second member 22, also in this embodiment by passing through cable coupling 30. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the longitudinally flexible sheathing 36, and the flexible cable 26 within it, hang between the first and second member cabling couplings 20, 30.

As described above, any member, such as first and second members 14, 22 may be a bracket having an L-shape. The legs of the L-shaped brackets may be of equal or different lengths. If the legs of an individual bracket are of different lengths, a user may choose between a shorter and a longer spacing distance between the cable coupling of the member and the point at which the member is secured, for example, to the fence post.

Also as described above, the cable coupling, for example 20, 30, may be described by a through-hole in a member 14, 22. In one embodiment, the cable coupling hole has a diameter larger than the diameter of the flexible cable, to permit passage of the flexible cable through the hole. In one embodiment, the cable coupling may comprise an eye-bolt or a U-bolt projecting from a member, such as first or second member 14, 22. The eye-bolt or the U-bolt may permit passage of the flexible cable through an opening in the eye-bolt or an opening formed by the U-bolt and the member.

In one embodiment the predetermined distances between cable couplings and the point of the member secured adjacent to or on the fence may be equal. In such a configuration, the sheathing and flexible cable therein will hang parallel to fence. Nothing herein limits the lengths as being equal.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the longitudinally flexible sheathing 36 and the flexible cable 26, within hang from adjacent cable couplings at the ends of members (e.g., members 14, 22, 34, 36). FIG. 2 aids in illustrating this feature of the invention by illustrating a vertical deflection of the sheathing 36 and flexible cable 26 within, with respect to an imaginary chord line 40 having endpoints at the first and second member cable couplings 20, 30. In one embodiment, the vertical deflection increases proportionately to a distance from the first or second member cable couplings 20, 30 toward a point equidistant between the first and second member cable couplings 20, 30. In one embodiment, the sheathing 36 and the flexible cable 26 within hangs in a shape describing a centenary curve.

In one embodiment, the flexible sheathing 36 may rotatably surround the flexible cable 26. Thus, even if the sheathing and cable are hanging loosely in a curved configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the flexible sheathing 36 can rotate about the length of the cable 26. In another embodiment, the flexible sheathing 36 may be fixed to the surface of the flexible cable 26. In one embodiment, the flexible sheathing may have a hard external surface. The flexible sheathing may be, for example, PVC pipe. In one embodiment of the invention PVC pipe of ½ inch and 1 inch diameter was used. Nothing herein is intended to limit the type or hardness (or compressibility) of the flexible sheathing.

In an embodiment where a space may exist between an interior surface of the sheathing 36 and an exterior surface of the flexible cable 26, the sheathing may include a set of weep holes about its circumference to prevent an accumulation of condensation within the space between the interior surface of the sheathing and the exterior surface of the flexible cable. The weep holes 42, may also serve as drains and thus prevent water from accumulating within an interior space of the apparatus. FIG. 2A is an illustration of the flexible cable 26 within a longitudinally flexible sheathing 36, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Weep holes 42 are illustrated as being included about the circumference of the sheathing 36.

The apparatus of the present invention does not require any tensioning of the flexible cable 26. In other words, the cable may hang loosely between cable couplings at the ends of members of the apparatus. There is no need to place a constant longitudinal stretching force on the cable to maintain the cable in a straight configuration.

As described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 2, and 2A, a system to prevent a canine from reaching a top of a fence may include at least two places upon which to secure first and second members 14, 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the system includes at least two fence posts. Fencing may be coupled between the at least two fence posts. As illustrated, the fence posts securing the first and second members need not be adjacent to one another. For example, fence post 34 lies between fence posts 16 and 24. The apparatus of the present invention may span random lengths between members. The system may further comprise a first member secured to the first fence post, the first member comprising a cable coupling spaced apart from the first fence post by a first predetermined distance. The system may further comprise a second member secured the second fence post, the second member comprising a cable coupling spaced apart from the second fence post by a second predetermined distance. The first and second distances may, of course, be equal. The system may further comprise a longitudinally flexible sheathing and a flexible cable within the longitudinally flexible sheathing. In an embodiment according to the invention, the flexible cable may have a first end engaging the cable coupling of the first member and a second end engaging the cable coupling of the second member. The system may further comprise at least one cable clamp to fix to an end of the flexible cable to prevent the flexible cable from being pulled out of the cable coupling to which it is engaged. In an embodiment according to the invention, the sheathing and the flexible cable may hang between the first and second member cable couplings. The sheathing and flexible cable therein may also hang between additional cable couplings on additional members 34, 36, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Moreover, also as illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus, and a system including the apparatus, may be configured to accommodate oblique or acute angles at the corners of a space bounded by a fence. As will be understood, a gate for entry or exit through the fence 12, may be treated as any other length of fence.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a kit 44 of a system to prevent a canine from reaching a top of a fence, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, the kit 44 may comprise a first member 46 (similar to first member 14) adapted to be secured to a first point on or adjacent to the fence. The first member 46 may include a cable coupling (not shown, but similar to 20, 30) integrated therewith. The kit 44 may further comprise a second member 48 (similar to second member 22) adapted to be secured to a second point, different from the first point, on or adjacent to the fence. The second member 48 may also include a cable coupling (not shown, but similar to 20, 30) integrated therewith. The kit may further comprise a flexible cable 50 (similar to flexible cable 26). The kit may further comprise a cable cutting tool, such as a saw or a pliers-like cable cutter, to cut the flexible cable 50 to a length to suit a user's application. The kit 44 may further comprise at least two cable clamps 54, 56 (similar to cable clamps 28, 32) to fix to the flexible cable to prevent the flexible cable from being pulled out of the cable couplings.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. An apparatus to prevent a canine from reaching a top of a fence, comprising: a first member adapted to be secured to a first point on or adjacent to the fence, the first member comprising a cable coupling spaced apart from the first point by a first predetermined distance; a second member adapted to be secured to a second point, different from the first point, on or adjacent to the fence, the second member comprising a cable coupling spaced apart from the fence by a second predetermined distance; a longitudinally flexible sheathing member; and a flexible cable within the sheathing member, the flexible cable having a first end engaging the cable coupling of the first member and a second end engaging the cable coupling of the second member, wherein the sheathing member and the flexible cable hang between the first and second member cabling couplings.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first or second member is a bracket having an L-shape.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the legs of the L-shaped bracket are equal in length.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cable coupling comprises a hole in the member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hole has a diameter larger than the diameter of the flexible cable, to permit passage of the flexible cable through the hole.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cable coupling comprises an eye-bolt or a U-bolt, wherein the eye-bolt or the U-bolt, permit passage of the flexible cable through an opening formed by the eye-bolt or the U-bolt.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second predetermined distances are equal.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a measure of vertical deflection of the flexible cable, with respect to an imaginary chord line connecting the first and second member coupling ends, increases proportionately to a distance from the first or second member coupling ends toward a point equidistant between the first and second member coupling ends.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible cable hangs in a shape describing a centenary curve.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible sheathing rotatably surrounds the flexible cable.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible sheathing member has a hard external surface.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a space exists between an interior surface of the sheathing member and an exterior surface of the flexible cable.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the sheathing member comprises a set of weep holes about its circumference to prevent an accumulation of condensation within the space between the interior surface of the sheathing member and the exterior surface of the flexible cable or to prevent water from accumulating within the space.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engaged flexible cable is not pre-tensioned between any two points on the flexible cable.
 15. A system to prevent an animal from reaching a top of a fence, comprising: first and second fence posts having fencing coupled therebetween; a first member secured to the first fence post, the first member comprising a cable coupling spaced apart from the first fence post by a first predetermined distance; a second member secured the second fence post, the second member comprising a cable coupling spaced apart from the second fence post by a second predetermined distance; a longitudinally flexible sheathing member; and a flexible cable within the sheathing member, the flexible cable having a first end engaging the cable coupling of the first member and a second end engaging the cable coupling of the second member; at least one cable clamp to fix to an end of the flexible cable to prevent the flexible cable from being pulled out of the cable coupling to which it is engaged, wherein the sheathing member and the flexible cable hang between the first and second member cable couplings.
 16. A kit for a system to prevent an animal from reaching a top of a fence, comprising: a first member adapted to be secured to a first point on or adjacent to the fence, the first member comprising a cable coupling spaced apart from the first point by a first predetermined distance; a second member adapted to be secured to a second point, different from the first point, on or adjacent to the fence, the second member comprising a cable coupling spaced apart from the fence by a second predetermined distance; a flexible cable having a first end to engage the cable coupling of the first member and a second end to engage the cable coupling of the second member; a cable cutting tool to cut the flexible cable to a predetermined length; and two cable clamps to fix to the ends of the flexible cable to prevent the flexible cable from being pulled out of the cable couplings. 